The Iola register., 1887-01-21
MEXICAN eulL-FleHTs.

+, MEXICAN eULL-FiGHTS.
uov the Animals are Prepared sor Their
| Coanict with HsmAa BeinEs.
Long before the performance begins
the Plaza de Toros is filled to overflow
ing with people of every rank and sta-
ton in life, from the blanketed peon to
the satin-clad senorits. Both the
entrance of the music and the entrance
of judge are followed by bursts of ap-
pIause, but the populsce rend the air
with deafening shouts when the bull
fighters appear. They consist OF a
captain, . clown and generally four
toreros, two or three picadores and
mozos. The ..captzin" and toreros are
dressed in bright-colored satins, short
jacket and knee-trousers, beautifully
and elaborately embroidered in silk and
silver. white hose. black slippers and a
fancy hat. They wear their hair in q
knot at the back of the head. and carry
in their hand or on their arm ''capa"--
a kind of cloak or circular, lined with
red or other bright color. The plea
dores. mounted on horseback, are
dressed in leather, with gay eolored
| jackets. sashes and broad sombrcros,
and carry lance with which to stick
and worry the bull, and also to keep
him from goring their horses. The
clown is dressed like any ether clown
and the mOzos are servants.
The men enter the ring and parade
around it. Then the gate is opened.
and in plunges the bull Before enter
ing he has been stack and leased and
worried until he is in a perfect ''whirl-
wind and tempest of passion" verita-
bly, mad bull. A bunch of ribbons
attached to barb with a point like q
fish-hook futters from his shoulder.
As he passes through the gate the plea
dores prick him with their iances. and.
plunging. rearing. snorting. mad as a
March hare, he rushes furiously at the
first nan he sees.
This is generally one of the toreros.
who opens and dextrously presents his
capa. The bull lunges ut this. and the
man springs lightly to one side and es-
capes unhurt. The men are active,
muscular and graceful. The picadorcs
gallop around the ring. prieking with
their lances the desperate bull. who
makes frequent lunges at them. some
times goring. disemboweling or killing
the poor. inoffensive horses, and somc-
times upsetting horse and rider and in
juring both. The toreres are quick to
the rescue, waving their capa., at
which the bull seldom fails to plunge.
At Il signal from the judge, the picadores
retire from the ring.
The next act is putting the barderil-
las in the shoulders of the bull. These
banderillas are wooden shafts about a
foot long. an iron fish hook at one end,
and the other decorated with flowers,
flags. etc. One Of the toreros takes one
in each hand, and, holding them a!oft.
leaping, dancing and shouting. attracts
the attention of the tOro, who rIlshes
upon him. As the toro (bulD lowers
his head the man sticks in the banderil-
las. dexterousiy leaps to one side and
runs for his life. Thus putting in two
at time. he puts in six. This is a
daring and desperate feat. and Yet men
have placed the banderiilas with their
teeth instead of their hands. After this
the infuriated animal rushes at every
one. Then comes the captains work:
holding his capa to the bull, he receives
his first lunge from the left side, spring
ing quickly to the right he receives the
second. This time standing quiet. cool
and steady, he receives him on his
sword. and the bull topples over dead.
In the ring at intervals are boards or
doors behind which men can retire
safely when too closely pursued. Some.
times it is close race between tord
and torero; sometimes the former wins
the race; then the Afexicans are de.
lighted with a sickening sight-.he
shedding of little human gore. Some
times the bull catches the man on his
horns and pitches him out of the ring,
up among the audience. Sometimes
the man is killed. When the toros do
not fight they lasso them and drag
them from the ring.
After the killing of one bull another
is admitted. There are generally five
or six. When the fight is good the ex-
cited audience throw hats, cigars,
handkerchiefs, money. ETC.. to the vic
tors. and applaud vociferously. When
it is poor they greet the performers
with empty bottles. cushions, chairs
and such like, and dcafen you with
their Kisses.
Before witnessing a Corida de Toros
I was expressing my surprise at people
in this enlightened age keeping up such
barbarous sport, when Mexican
asked me if I had ever witnessed a COM
bat between Sullivan and Ryan. 1t
was just rebuke, and although could
answer no, I hung my American head.
I have heard enough of such things,
where men beat and bruise each other
and call it amusement. I think it far
worse than the Corida de Toros. and at
the latter there is no betdng.-Neric0
Cor. n. o. Pscayune.